Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13143, Stephen Gillet, Conn. Continental

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Gillet, Stephen
S. 13143
Continental
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

21347
New York 44578 14515
Stephen Gillet
Montgomery in the State of N. York was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Gillet of the Regt. commanded by Col. Allen in the Cont. line for 9 Mos.
Continental Regt Conn.
Records completed Jan'y 13/16/18.
Inscribed on the Roll of N York at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1839 — and Rev. Mr. Mott Jr. Johnson P.O.
Arrears to the 4th of M ch '33 $46 66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th Sep r '33 11 66 $58 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } G. C. Dikes Clerk. Book E, Vol. 4. Page 57.
Paid at the Treasury under the acts of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sep r 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt notified 11. April 1839
Paid as above from 4 Sep r 1839. to 4 March 1840. Agt notified 8 Dec r '40
Death date not on A.B. D.L.

No. 21.347
Stephen Gillet Montgomery County New York
admitted 7 mo Private.
J. P. Brook Junr. Agt. Johnstown P.O. Montgomery County New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjocined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Stephen Gillet Montgomery county N.York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1775 5 Private Captain Gillet 79 years Revolutionary   1776 2 Private Lt. Solomon Allen Hartford County Connecticut  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Stephen Gillet
26347
$1
[Faint, mirrored cursive text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.]

State of New York. Northern district, Montgomery County ss: On this nineteenth day of Decemb- -er in the year of our Lord, One thousand Eight hundred & Thirty two - personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of the Court of Common Pleas held in and for the County of Montgomery, now sitting (said Court being a Court of record, proceeding accor- ding to the course of the Common Law - having the power to fine and imprison and keeping a record of their proceedings Stephen Gillet residing in the Town of Johns- -town, County, district and State, aforesaid aged Twenty nine years, On the fourth day of May last past, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he was enlisted by a Captain Jonah Gillet, at Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut in the month of June One thousand seven hundred and seventy five. That within a short time after such enlistment (the parti- -cular period of time he does not now remember) He marched with a Company then under the command of Jonathan Humphey Lieut- -enant under the said Captain Gillet from Windsor aforesaid to Roxbury, near Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. That he understood said Company to be State Troops. That he

so enlisted for the term of five months - and did do duty in the said Company as a Common soldier after his enlistment for & during the said term of five months and was then discharged by the said Lieutenant Humphrey the Command- -ing Officer of said Company That After being so discharged He left Roxbury on his return home to Windsor aforesaid and had proceeded but a few miles on his journey when he found that himself two Unwilling to proceed further - That he remained Unwilling unable by means there- -of to proceed on his journey - for over a month and some days - the number of days beyond the month he cannot now particularly remem- -ber but has a distinct recollection, that it was over a Month. He does not remember the number of the Regiment in which such service was done by him - nor the names of any of the officers of said Regiment or Company except those before named - nor does he remember whether or not - and said company upon the expiration of his term he received at the time of the expiration of his term of service a written discharge, and states that, if he did receive such discharge, the same has been lost or destroyed. That he has no documentary evidence whatever, of said service - and knows of no person living by whom he can prove the same.
And he doth further declare That in the month of August, in the year One thous- and seven hundred and seventy six. That the Militia of the State of Connecticut was called into service to go to New York. That he at that time went in a Company then under the command of Lieutenant Solomon Allen from Windsor afores- aid to New York - and remained in service as a Common soldier in said Company at New York for the term of two months. That he does not remember the names of the officers that served in the Corps to which he was attached

Except the said Lieut. Allen. Captain Jonah Gillet, who was the Captain of said Company but not then in Command, being with the Army at that time on long island - and Gener- -al Newberry (his true name not remembered) which last named officer had the Command of the Connecticut Militia at that time. That he has not - nor does he know that he ever had, any documentary evidence of his serv- -ices last aforesaid nor does he know of any person living by whom he can prove the same. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not now on the pension Role of the Agency of Anystate. Stephen Gillet
Sworn 19th Dec r 1832
In open Court of the inquisitions two places in the foregoing.
Geo: D. Ferguson Clerk
We Elisha Yale Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Kingsborough in the Town of Johnstown. County district, and State aforesaid - and Elisha Case and Allen Case, residing in said Town & County hereby certify, That we are well acquainted with Stephen Gillet who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: And that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age. That he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we con- -cur in that opinion - and we the said Elisha Elisha and Allen Case do hereby further certify

that we severally resided at Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and had resided there for several years previous to and in the years one thousand seven hundred and seventy five and seventy six. That we were then well acquainted with said Stephen Gillet and resided near him. Knew that he was absent from home in the summers of those two years - and that it was currently reported and believed in that neighbourhood at that time. That the said Stephen Gillet - was during his absence from home as aforesaid - doing duty as a soldier in the army at Roxbury near Boston - and at the City of New York. That they have never heard the said report contradicted.
Decr 19th Sworn to in Open Court of the Court Certify the witness to be credible person
Elisha Hale Elisha Case Allen Case
Geo: D. Ferguson clerk
I certify that the foregoing mentioned person Stephen Gillet is a person of respectability of the fairest character & credit that I have known him for about forty years past
Decr 19th Sworn to in Open Court of the Court Certify that the witness is a credible person -
Aaron Haring
Geo: D. Ferguson. Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he stated. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Alisha Gale who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Johnstown in Montgomery County aforesaid; and that Alisha Gale, & Allen Gale, who have also signed the same are residents of the same town, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
And that Aaron Haring, Esq., who has signed the Certificate of the Respectability of Character of the Applicant Stephen Gillett, is First Judge of the County Courts of the said County, and is a person of fair character.
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Gillett for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19th. day of December 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson.

December 11, 1934.
Mr. Albert E. McLean 129 New Jersey Road, Brooklawn Gloucester City, New Jersey.
BA-J/ILL Stephen Gillet S. 13143
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Eli, Charles, John, Timothy and Stephen Gillett, residents of Herkimer and Montgomery Counties, New York, in 1790.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claims for pension or bounty land found which have been made to the United States based upon service of Eli, Charles or Timothy Gillett; similar spellings of the surname have been searched. In order to identify the record of the particular soldier, John Gillett, in whom you are interested, some of the following information is essential, in addition to his residence in 1790; approximate dates of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment, and given name of wife, or widow.
The record of Stephen Gillet is given herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 13143, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Stephen Gillet was born May 4, 1753; the place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, he enlisted in June 1775, served as private in Captains Jonah Gillet's and Elihu Humphrey's Connecticut Company near Roxbury, and was discharged at the expiration of service of five months. He enlisted in August 1776, and served two months as private under Lieutenant Solomon Allen (Allyn), at New York. No relationship between the officer, Jonah Gillet, and Stephen Gillet was stated.

Stephen Gillet was allowed pension on his application executed December 19, 1932, at which time he resided in Johnstown, Montgomery County, New York. His signature is shown "Gillet" on his application.
There are no data relative to the family of Stephen Gillet.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1934-Dec. 18 - Hist. to Albert E. McLean SLL.
Rev. War
13143 INVALID.
File No. 13143
Stephen Gillet Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 142
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, April 4 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Stephen Gillett, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.York, Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1837, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Abdoo E. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 30 th 1848.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Stephen Gillett, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Twenty Three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832. has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839. to the 4 th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Almon B. Parrish
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

129 New Jersey Road Brooklawn, N.J.
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Information is requested as to whether there are any Revolutionary War pension records of the following named Gillettts who lived in Montgomery and Herkimer Counties, New York in 1790: Eli, Charles, John, Timothy, Sepheus, and Stephen. -OK
It is especially requested that the names of any children of these or supposed pensioners be included.
I wish to thank your department for the cooperation and courtesy which it has always extended
Very truly yours,
Albert E. McLean
129 New Jersey Road Brooklawn, New Jersey Gloucester City P.O.
11/22/34